FAYETTEVILLE (AP) - Arkansas practiced for the first time this year in a Monday session that resembled an orientation, with 34 newcomers mixing with veterans.

Working out in jerseys and shorts, the players participated in one-on-one drills before splitting up into offensive and defensive units and competing against each other in preconceived plays.

For Hou-ston Nutt, who is entering his seventh season as Razor-backs' coach, the opening week of the preseason will be as much about getting to know the players as it is teaching them the system.

"There is a lot of learning involved," he said. "When you have this many younger people, this many positions open, it's a learning process."

Yet, for many of the newcomers, the first day did not surprise them. Since 90 percent of the incoming class worked out during the summer months in Fayetteville, according to Nutt, getting acclimated to their surroundings was not an issue.

"I had the opportunity to be here a lot during the spring, so I kind of got a feel of how it was going to be just by observation," said Alex Mortensen, a quarterback from Fairburn, Ga. "Being up here in the summer has helped a lot."

The first practice of the season attracted gawkers on nearback Razorback Road, and contributed to a three-car pileup. Practice continued without stopping.

For DeCori Birmingham, who will likely start at running back, the sight of younger guys making plays was a new experence.

"It's a little strange being out here without the Tony Buas, George (Wilsons) and Jimmy (Beasleys)," he said. "But it's a part of life."

As one of nine seniors, Birmingham said that this year the upperclassmen are more intently focused on placing the newest Razorbacks on the right track.

"It's never been like joking around and playing," he said. "But it's way more serious now. We've got a lot of guys we're trying to get ready for this year as well as for the future. Right now, all the seniors are trying to be real focused and lead the team in the right direction."

And for Nutt, that is important because he said a lot of young players will be seeing the field early this season.

"You know by depth that they're going to have to play," he said. You're not going to be able to put the redshirt on. You can forget about that, whereas in years past they would be great candidates for red-shirting. But right now, the last thing on my mind is redshirting. That is the last thing on my mind."

Wide receiver Cedric Logan of Fayetteville and strong safety Randy Kelly of Palmetto, Fla., sat out the practice because their academic status is still being evaluated.